Gov Fubara Confronts Wike’s Men in Rivers Assembly, Makes New Appointments for LGA Administration

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State  has appointed additional three key staff to manage critical sectors of the government structure in the oil-rich Niger Delta State.

The appointments came to be despite the seeming stand-off between the governor and a faction of the state House of Assembly who seem to be making efforts to frustrate the government of Mr. Fubara.

The appointments announced over the weekend include that of Mr. Goodlife Ben who is appointed as the Acting Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Tonte Davies, Acting Administrator of New Cities Development Authority (NCDA) and Ine Briggs has been appointed the Acting Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The appointments were announced by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tammy Danagogo who said the appointments take effect immediately.

On Friday, the unabating frosty relationship between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike and his followers came to full display as the Hon. Martins Amaewhule led House of Assembly members overrode the governor and passed into law four bills aimed at “clipping” the wings of the governor in terms of grassroots political control in the state.

The bills are the Rivers Local Government Amendment Law, the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amendment Law, the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Property Prohibition repeal law, and the Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law.

According to sources close to the House that spoke with FACTSHEET, the new laws will allow local government areas in “Rivers State to be in charge of their financial affairs.”

According to the source who pleaded anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on behalf of the state, “Wike’s men know that if they can control the LGA funds they will be able to stand up against any oppression from the state governor.

By overriding the governor, the newly passed laws does not require the accent of the governor to become a law.

However, with the appointment of the auditor of the local government service commission, Governor Fubara is definitely poised to confront the “Wike men” headlong.

The Rivers State House of Assembly is currently skewed against the governor as 27 members are with Mr. Wike leaving only four on the side of the governor.